Wine lovers rejoice! If you needed another reason to enjoy a fine glass of red or white, here’s to raising a toast in honor of National Drink Wine Day. Cheers!
Château d’Yquem – Sauternes 1976
One of Château d’Yquem’s twin titans of 1975 and 1976, by all accounts the Sauternes ’76 is a flawless treasure, and well worth the effort to get your hands on a bottle. One look at the dark golden liquid lets you know its going to be angelically sweet. Gifted by the noble rot Botrytis, with an intense floral nose and notes of apricot and honey, Crème brûlée and brown sugar, and a surprisingly long finish. Sauternes is produced in southern Bordeaux, taking its name from the village of Sauternes. Made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, it is among the most famous of the world’s favorite dessert wines. Traditionally paired with fruity desserts, Foie gras or a rich Roquefort, Sauternes also play well with an exotic main course, or just to keep you company with a good book and candlelight.
Viña Cobos – Cobos Volturno 2010
“A very sexy wine” – several reviewers had the same thing to say about this Argentine beauty, a complex Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blend produced in Perdriel just south of Mendoza. An adrenaline-pumping mouthful of chocolate and coffee; well-balanced, extremely smooth with dark ripe fruit (cherry, blackberry, plum, raspberry), tobacco, liquorice, cassis vanilla, and old leather. Every sip reveals a new blend of flavours that stay with you for a leisurely finish. Cobos Volturno is a beautifully rich and elegant wine: very port-like with its high alcohol content, it pairs well with venison, a good cut of beef, slow-cooked lamb or even poultry. A great conversation starter, make sure you have more than one bottle available because everyone will want a top up!
Château Rayas – Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé 2005
Rated among top 1% of all the world’s wines, the Château Rayas Réservé 2005 is a well-loved vintage and winner of Vivino’s 2018 Wine Style Awards in the Southern Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red category. Ready now to enjoy over a long, slow evening as the flavours evolve after decanting, but it could do with a few more years in the cellar, if you have the patience. The Réservé has a surprisingly light ruby colour considering the bouquet it presents – from soft dark fruit to candy, chocolate, spices and old leather! If you enjoy Grenache, you will fall deeply in love. Smooth, elegant and yet powerful on the palate it feels more like a Burgundy than a wine of the Southern Rhône.
